6/18/08

Well, all I can say is that the Cascade 220 finally looks good again. Of course we did have to rearrange half the store just to get all the new colors on the shelves.

It always makes me happy just to see all the colors. You just stand there and stare and see unlimited possibilities

Also in is a new sock yarn. Pagewood Farms sent us two lovely handpaints. Yukon is a soft and gloriously muted yarn made of Bamboo, Merino and Nylon for strength.

St. Elias is a sock yarn made from Blue-faced Leiciester (sp?). Well I probably can't spell is, But I sure can admire it.

6/13/08

We couldn't resist. When Frabjous Fibers announced they were carrying Merino and Blue Faced Leicester hand dyed roving, I knew we had to have some. With the colors and softness of the two types of wool, what spinner could resist? Or think of the other possibilities such as needle felting or thrummed mittens. The fact that it's Fair Trade doesn't hurt either.

6/12/08

Here is a sneak preview of a new alpaca yarn we are carrying. This is from Alpacas of Rollingwood. It's a small operation in Wisconsin that concentrates on naturally colored and locally processed alpaca fiber. It is as soft as you think, and it's nice to actually be able to follow that impulse of 'buy locally'.

We have a limited amount of heavy worsted from last year's fleece, but will be getting in more sport weight and hopefully fingering from this year's crop. Keep checking as the sport weight flew out of here.

Another nice surprise this year was Plymouth Yarns addition of two new lines of alpaca to their yarns. They have added a lace weight and a soft sport weight. The colors are vibrant and the feel is great.

5/5/08

The sun is finally back, and we at last got a bulky cotton that we are happy with. Chacabuca, part of the Arancania line from KFI has intense colors, is light to wear, and knits up at 3 stitches per inch. I can see this as a top, or a tank that won't weigh you down. It comes in monotone solids or in a multicolor form, just perfect for starting to think about summer.

4/21/08

I couldn't resist the Siberian Squill finally blooming in my lawn this morning.(shown in the close up version of the picture, just click on it) It made a perfect backdrop for both the Noro Sock yarn and Lucy Neatby's new Spindrift pattern. She mentioned that she was fascinated by holes lately, and I guess I agree as I HAD to make this scarf.

4/15/08

DVDs

3/21/08

Spring is here. I know, it's snowing like crazy this morning, but the spring cottons are coming in. Sublime wowed us all last year with their soft wools and mohairs, this year they launched Sublime Organic Cotton Soft, drapey and with great patterns to take advantage of the muted colors. It seemed the perfect place to place a Peep, on a nest for the season.

Plymouth Yarns has also come up with a soft cotton that stripes. Fruttamix and its grown up sister Fusione stripe up in an egyptian cotton DK weight that make it perfect for spring and summer.

Opal just came in with a brand new cotton sock yarn that will work nicely for Lucy Neatby's classes next month. Actually, the way that woman makes socks, anything will work, but the Opal deserves a mention.

3/13/08 Just when you thought it couldn't get better, Manos Silk and Wool DK from Uraguay (sp?). I have always liked Manos, but never quite had room for it. Okay, I know, it's fair trade, gorgeous, etc, so what's not to like? As soon as I saw the colors of the silk and wool together, I rearranged the store. Better come take a look soon, as I will be rearranging the store again for Lucy Neatby's upcoming visit.

1/16/08 Ever wonder what 5 boxes of Cherry Tree Hill look like? Pretty spectacular. This is a heap of Oceania (a wool boucle with a bit of sparkle), and two groups of Potluck Bulky/Worsted Packs in many assorted colors.

For a real treat click on the image to enlarge, or better yet see them in person while they are still here.

12/13/07 Too Much new stuff for Christmas. One is from Euro called Rustic Wool, a new superwash in jewel tones in worsted weight. Wonderfully soft, it has a vat-dyed appearance, perfect for hats, sweaters or whatever.

11/21/07

How's this for color? Plymouth Yarn has been very busy lately. They've added a line of handpaints to their Galway, Alpaca, and Suri Merino and introduced a new yarn, Royal Llama to their line. It is wonderfully soft and richly colored.

From the colors we are seeing right now, the new lines look to be muted or jewel tones. It's nice to have a variety of choice, rather than one color palette.

11/12/07 We have been busy. Other than the new Cherryblossom Supersock tons of new yarns have been pouring in. One well worth the Oooohs and Aaahs is a wonderful yarn from Knitting Fever aptly called Sublime. It comes in wonderful soft muted colors, is superwash, and a perfect DK weight for all the baby needs and detailed adult sweaters you could wish. The pattern support is outstanding. We can imagine many scarves, hats, and mittens out of this for the holidays.

10/31/07

If the new Sock Buddieswere'nt enough to drool over, Cherry Tree Hill has come up with a new colorway. Isn't it glorious? Cherry Blossoms comes to you via a contest in England last year and is now in distribution in the US for the first time. We have it in

10/30/07

SOCK BUDDIES are coming today! We finally have persuaded Deni to part with her creations in honor of October as 're-use' month. Ever wondered what happened to old sweaters that went off into the sunset? Well, here's the answer: they return better and more useful that ever. Stop in and see for yourself the possibilities in a Sock Buddy or Knitting Buddy.

10/02/07 We've just received a shipment from Sheep Shop of a wonderful double knitting blend of silk and merino called Sheep 3. I'm not sure what the number refers to (plies? product number?), but the yarn is beautifully colored, with the silk adding both incredible softness and a wonderful glimmer to the colors.

I continue to page through Vogue Knitting's 25th anniversary issue and continue to be impressed, surprised, and nostalgic for all the knitting that has gone on. Take a look at the 2 articles on the 'old guard' and the 'new guard' of knitting. Hmmm. Does this make me a dinosaur? Probably, but I enjoyed both.

9/27/07 Noro has done it again. Can you imagine a ball of Silk Garden that you could actually treat as a bulky? Well how about Silk Garden Chunky. Pretty nice, same wonderful colors and great feel, same price, but knits up quicker. Worth the wait.

9/14/07 If the Dream In Color didn't get you last week, (we still have some left), then check out the new yarn from Arancania, a gorgeous soft chunky yarn in muted hand dyed colors called Aysen. Some of our staff took it home straight out of the box, a clear sign of a winner. I'm thinking felted mittens, scarf, sweater? It's so soft and goregeous that creative ideas start to float...

8/31/07 Just a few words to start with: Dream in Color. The Smooshy is back in stock with a partial shipment. Next week should see the rest of the sock yarn and the Classy, their worsted weight. We only have 6 colors this week, so when we run out, try again next week.

Elspeth Lavold has come out with 2 new yarns that promise to rival our favorite Silky Wool. Along with a new book and wonderful fall colors, the Silky Flamme and the Baby Llama are worth a look. Last two things of note are I finally refreshed the pictures at the bottom of this page, and also 'tyler' is now an 'easter egg'.

8/10/07 I am happy to announce that after several years of looking for solid color sock yarn, Opal Yarns has come through! Now you have a choice of colors for heels and toes for all the handpainted and self-striping sock yarns. Yea!!! A little thing, but it makes me smile.

Also in this week is a new yarn from Cherry Tree Hill. Cheryl Potter has dyed a series of Louet Gems Pearl in all of her beautiful colorways. We recieved a good sized shipment from her, along with solid colors from Louet, so we are stocked for your baby needs for a while. In addition, we are waiting for our Twisted Sisiter shipment that should be arriving any day, along with another small independant called the Sheep Shop. Where do they come up with these names?

7/30/07 The new Simply Shetland book came in this weekend. New projects to tempt us, and a new yarn in their line to do so. Silk'n Lambswool is a beautiful fingering weight in jewel like heathered tones that the new book uses in patterns both as a single strand and doubled. Imagine a soft shawl or brilliant waistcost. I can't wait until cooler weather.

7/23/07 We now have some pretty nifty kits in that we discovered in Columbus. KnitWhits have been putting out kits for several years now and they are just too cute. We currently have several sock and hat kits that range from adult to child sizes. The neat things are the colors. If you have always had a hankering to make a color work sock, or a wonderfully striped hat, but have been put off by the necessity of buying 5 or 6 skeins of colors for just one item, these kits are the ticket. You should check out the kid's Alphabet Socks. Primary colors and bold graphic letters are a combination to make anyone smile.

7/18/07 The new Louisa Harding yarn is in! We only have one new yarn from her,Castello, but her color palette continues to change and become more beautiful. I couldn't resist the old favorites Impression and Liberty Boucle in the soft new colors of muted tones for fall. I am already thinking of a fall cardigan in a soft gray/pink. Our other new (to us) line is Sierra from Cascade Yarns. We just received 20 colors of a wonderful cotton with 20% wool for strength and comfort. Check it out.

7/12/07 We finally got in a fresh stock of Jaquetta Holcomb's wonderful handpun yarn. She sent us a load of bright colors and new soft merino. As always with her yarn, it has to be seen and touched to be believed. How does she get the colors so bright? Maybe it is the effect of her move to 'Big Sky' country. We're glad she stays in touch with her home state through her yarns.

7/01/07 Check out our window display on Thomas Ave. I got so excited over the Jamieson Trunk Show that I rearranged the front to display the Sonoma Wrap. What else is new?The rest of the Silky Sock is here, 19 amazing colors hanging on the walls. Boy, is it a sight. JM asked me yesterday why should people make more socks? I said the answer was above her head on the wall. She looked up, was silent for a long moment, and then agreed. Other than Socks, the Cashmere from JoJoland is here. It is as soft and glorious as you could imagine. With 400 yards per skein, one shawl or wrap becomes reasonable at 2 skeins needed. I also couldn't resist their lace weight merino that shades. One color is an amazing orange. Perfect for hot summer nights.

6/26/07 Is Christmas here? I have been having tons of fun making a Poinsetta Wreath from a kit that we received from Pick Up Sticks. If Poinsettas seem slightly out of season, they have sent other more mundane flowers like Irises, Tiger Lilies and the like.

Sock Yarn continues to arrive, this week it was 10 colors of Silky Sock from Great Adirondacks. We have also gotten in a new type of yarn, Rauma's Fingerull, and a wonderful pattern book that has vintage gloves mittens and KNEE HIGH SOCKS! I am currently working on a pair of gloves as a swatch for the knee-highs. It is too cool.

6/14/07 Too many books and too little time. That's always the plaint of readers. Now we can honestly say too many books and too much new yarn.

Our first of the season Noro shipment hit yesterday, and the new colors are beautiful. We recieved lots of old friends, and an assortment of new glorious shades of both Silk Garden and Kureyon. We also opened up one box and pulled out the newest wonder, Baby Bamboo, a mix of 80% bamboo and 20% wool for a machine washable DK yarn. Perfect for those baby gifts we are all knitting.

As for the books, well, with six cartons full there are plenty of choices. Some of my favorites are Charmed Knits (so you can use time waitng for Harry Potter knitting up all the new Cascade 220 in your favorite house colors:) Or spend the summer teaching a youngster to knit with the help of Gigi Knits, a cute tale of a girl who knits for others. Finally, if you hear the garden calling, why not check out the new A Dyer's Garden and dream of colors to come with the harvest.

ps I think Snape is not as bad as he's painted, although I would not move to Slytherin house...

6/5/07 We've just returned from the annual summer Trade Show in Columbus, and are sort of on YARN OVERLOAD. We saw Socks everywhere, and ordered lots. Katie and I spent way too much time at Great Adirondacks oohing and aahing over the Silky Sock with names like Sunrise and Starburst to name a few. We'll be seeing so many different colors (19 to be exact) that the choices will make you dizzy.

Other amazing finds are a fine weight cashmere at a reasonable price; a new sock yarn made from Alpaca ( my toes can't wait for winter); expansion of the Diakeito yarns we carry,; and a line of fine norwegian wool from Rauma that should arrive mid June.

Check back for more updates, and don't forget to stop in to see what the 10% off Staff Pick of the Day is.

4/25/07 Spring is here - and so are our spring classes! See the Classes page for a link to the complete, printer-friendly listing. You'll find some classics (Shadow Shawl, Swallowtail Shawl), several sock classes, lace classes, fun felting projects, and a lot more.